NOVEL DESCRIPTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26918, 2 November 1948, Page 6

NOVEL DESCRIPTION

NEW ZEALAND SCENERY AMERICAN VISITOR’S VIEWS Although New Zealand has been described in various terms and compared with many countries, it has probably never before been likened to a “wellkept golf course.” This was the descrip tion given by an American visitor Mrs J. W. Hendprson, of Hollywood. California, in an interview with the Daily Times last night, Mrs Henderson, who is accompanied by her husband, a retired business man, has travelled extensively in the Pacific, but has 'not previously been to New Zealand. Contrary to expectations, Mrs Henderson was not particularly enthusiastic about the climate of Southern California. “It has been over-rated.” she said, “ especially as many factories have been built recently, and the smoke from these combines with the fog—hence the term ‘ smog.’ ” Mrs Henderson was equally noncommittal about the ‘ glamour ’ of Hollywood. After a period in the research studios of M.G.M., she was convinced that much of the work behind the scenes, both for actors and directors, was extremely tedious. “It can become very boring to watch, too,” she said, “but the tourist is always trying to get through the closelyguarded doors." This was the reason for much of the publicity given to Los Angeles, Mrs Henderson added, for the permanent residents took little, if any, notice of even the most famous actors. There was little to compare between the two countries, Mrs Henderson thought,- except the Government houses, with which she was particularly impressed. She considered them equal to middle-class Californian homes. , , . It is perhaps-fortunate that much o» what she has seen in New Zealand pleases this friendly visitor, for after many of her tours, Mrs Henderson writes articles for newspapers. She does not know whether she will write about New Zealand on her return, however, as she has had little opportunity to study much of the country’s legislation. Mr and Mrs Henderson are accompanied on their brief tour of New Zealand, by an American friend, who has settled in Picton. After spending a few days at his home they will leave by air for Honolulu.